Armenian Adoption Adventure explores the latest in Adoption news from Armenia. Armenian Adoption Adventure has a network of 40 people worldwide that have adopted from Armenia. God Bless you on this difficult journey.

Monday, November 28, 2011

I hear these stories over and over in Armenia and it breaks our hearts for these poor women. A whole generation of children forced into the orphanage system because of lack of food and benefits. No one should feel they are better than these brave mothers or that they have no rights to raise their children!!

GYUMRI. – Family of Arpenik Ghazaryan, 40, mother of two children, is devoid of social benefit for already four months without any reason.The woman gave her daughter Sona, 14 to an orphanage house and lives with her 1.5 year-old baby in a half-ruined hut.Arpenik turned to the Gyumri center and asked to visit their home. When the centre representatives arrived, she was alone with her baby. Moreover, she had no electricity as well for several days. Temperature was -10°C outside, while even the oven was not on. Generally children come back from the orphanage house for the weekend. However, Arpenik could not go to bring her daughter as she had no money for the transport. Both children are out of the list of Gyumri city hall, or any international or philanthropic organizations.

Steve Kashian and his wife Rozik have a vision that can, and will, change the world.

The Winnetka residents' mission is one that has fostered widespread community support, proven by the strong attendance at a benefit for the Kashian's charity organization, Armenian Relief Mission, at The Winnetka Club on Nov. 19.

Steve, a Winnetka physician, was summoned to Armenia in 1992 after he got a phone call from a friend who asked if he could help provide medication to the country's northern Lori region.

The need was just one of many resulting from a massive earthquake that occurred in Spitak in 1988, which killed more than 25,000 Armenians. The earthquake left orphans, limited resources and widespread housing destruction in its wake.

Steve gathered medical supplies and went to Armenia for 10 days, leaving behind the medicine and also a sense of hope for the struggling country.

"He came back a changed man," Rozik said.

Many others worked to provide some sort of relief to Armenia, but Steve made a commitment to keep coming back.

Steve worked to build, staff and establish a medical clinic in the city of Vandzor, which opened in 1995. The clinic provides free diagnostics, care and pharmaceuticals to approximately 6,000 Armenians each year.

Rozik hadn't planned to get involved, but she traveled to Armenia in 1998.

The Kashians were asked to provide duffel bags, which they learned were for orphans who were kicked out of orphanages at the age of 17 or 18.

The boys typically turn to the military, but the girls are left with less attractive choices.

Shortly after, the Kashians officially established ARM.

Just what the doctor ordered

The effort has blossomed to include regular trips and assistance in three cities and five locations, including orphanages and the medical clinic.

"[Steve] donates his own time and goes there on his own. There should be more of us doing these things like him ... think how busy a doctor is. Hats off to him," said Richard Anderson, a Lake Bluff resident who attended the benefit.

Anderson can testify to Steve's kindness, having had him as a doctor for 10 years now. Anderson was recently diagnosed with cancer and was having surgery performed by another doctor.

The week before his surgery, Steve called him to his office so that they could pray together.

"There's a point in our lives when we have to say 'I'm successful, but am I doing something significant?'" Steve said during a speech at the benefit.

For both the Kashians, and many friends in the room, the answer to the question was yes. More than 50 North Shore residents have made the trip to Armenia since ARM was established.

Among those recruits is Jim Baney, of Northfield, who has volunteered to help out in Armenia seven times.

Baney has been active in various efforts, including maintenance of the medical clinic in Vanadzor, food distribution through ARM's winter relief program, visiting the orphanages and building a playground.

The playground sets have been donated by local villages, including Wilmette, Northbrook and Glenview, which were getting new equipment for various reasons.

Jim Hinkler, of Wilmette, has gone to Armenia twice this year, providing medication for hemophiliacs in July and installing a playground set in October.

Although each contributes to a very different cause, both are of unmistakable value.

"When you play on a playground set, you build social skills that are going to be helpful later in life. They never had a playground set ... now they do," Hinkler said.

For Robert Mardirossian, executive director of Family Service of Winnetka-Northfield, the cause is one that "resonates in [his] heart."

Although he has not yet made the trip to Armenia, he and his wife, M. Lavin, have talked about adding it to their bucket list.

Growing needs

The Kashians aimed to raise $100,000 at the benefit.

The funds are earmarked to support the creation of a new facility, a "safe home" where girls will be able to go and learn skills essential to being independent.

The remaining dollars will go toward an ultrasound machine, which will replace a broken machine that is the only one in the region.

For more information about the Armenian Relief Mission, visit armrelief.org.

Monday, November 21, 2011

November 07, 2011 | 15:55 YEREVAN. - State Budget of Armenia for 2012 will not allocate any amount for housing of the orphanage graduates, said the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arthur Grigoryan to a joint sitting of Parliament standing committees on Monday.The Government ignored this point in the Budget for 2011 as well, however around 300 apartments were provided to orphanage graduates in Armenia in 2003-2010.‘‘At least 28 apartments do not serve their purpose; they are either desolated or given for rent,’’ said Grigoryan.According to him the question of the 28 controversial apartments is studied togather with Armenian Relief Society. At least 15 of them will be expropriated and allocated to new people. Around 300 orphanage graduates are on the apartment waiting listhttp://news.am/eng/news/80927.html

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Is this destroying the culture of Moroccan children? A side note here is that Morocco is NOT a party to the Hague Convention on trafficking of children.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/05/want-to-adopt-a-child-convert-to-islam.htmlThere is a very disturbing situation going on with International Adoption in Islamic countries. In order to adopt, you must convert to Islam. This includes the most "moderate" of Muslim countries, like Morocco.This is supremacist and outrageous.Moroccan Adoption Guidelines• In the country of Morocco, which is located in Northern Africa, a child can only be adopted by a married couple or a single female. Children may not be adopted by parents that are single males or who are involved in a same sex marriage. • There is no age restriction imposed on the adoptive parents as a requirement for adoption. • The individuals who are adopting must be employed. • The adoptive parent or parents must be Muslim or they must be willing to convert to the Islam religion. The adoptive parents must provide proof of this conversion. Conversion to Islam as a requirement for International Adoption in Morocco

By William Thacker

There is a strange and sad adoption program taking place in our American culture among International Adoption Agencies. Four American Adoption agencies are offering adoption services from Morocco and part of the expensive price tag includes a requirement of the Government of Morocco to convert to Islam. Yes you did read this correctly – it is a 2 for the price of 1, you get a new child and new religion for one low price of somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000 (not including travel expenses).

Searching the Internet I found several American Adoption agencies offering adoptions in Morocco under the Kefala law of Islam. Adopt Abroad Adoption Agency was the first to claim they offered Moroccan Adoptions. A quick call to this agency and the information was vague, I was unable to find out just how many adoptions they have finalized under this bizarre adoption law. However with further research I found that on the US State Department’s website, I found that Moroccan Adoptions were growing to the USA: 2008 (12) 2009 (20) and 2010 (32) total of 64 adoptions to the USA from Morocco in 3 years: here A list of sworn translators located throughout Morocco can be obtained by contacting the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco at ivcasablanca@state.gov. The following is a list of basic documents required for the Kefala procedure:

• Islam Conversion Document for the prospective adoptive parents

• Birth Certificate for each prospective parent

• Marriage certificate for the prospective parents (if applicable)

• Health statement from a doctor practicing in Morocco

• Work and salary statements for each prospective adoptive parent (if applicable)

• Home study completed by a licensed U.S. home study provider

• Photographs (the exact number and size required varies)

• copy of passports of each prospective adoptive parent

The other thing of Interest on the US State Department website, it indicates that Morocco has not signed a Hague Convention agreement with the USA. Which being a party to the Hague Convention a country is stating they have precautions in place to safeguard against human trafficking or selling of children/babies for referrals. But then some people only want a child they care less about conversion to Islam or being ethical. It’s hard to imagine that any self respecting American would stoop to this level just to have a child and submit to Islam. Harder yet the US State Department 2010 report on page 4 indicates http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/fy2010_annual_report.pdf that 43 American Children from foster care were adopted OVERSEAS with Canada (19) and the Netherlands (18) being the countries very willing and able to adopt American children. How is it that we as Americans have not provided for our children, yet we have couples willing to spend over $30,000 travel over 6,000 miles and convert to Islam to adopt? Yet couples in Canada and Netherlands are adopting American children.

Moroccan children deserve the right to stay in their country with members of their fellow ethnicity and religion, the same is true for American children retaining their American culture and roots.

Adopt Aboard Adoption Agency states that:The Moroccan adoption program is open to married couples and single women. It is possible to adopt more than one child in a single adoption process. Morocco is flexible regarding the age of the adoption parents. Families must respect the child's religious heritage.

Hopscotch Adoption Agency states that bluntly you must submit to conversion of Islam:Our Morocco child adoption service is a pilot program that we're very pleased to announce. In 2009, 20 U.S. Visas were issued to children of all ages—many of these issued to infants. While this is a new program to Hopscotch, we have partnered with a very experienced team in Morocco and expect that this program will be very popular. For our Morocco children and infant adopting, families must be comfortable in the knowledge that we are responding daily to the changes in process as they occur. Additionally, Married couples and single women may adopt from Morocco. The country does not permit same sex marriage, partners or single men to adopt children from Morocco. There is no age restriction on the prospective parents. The prospective parents must be employed and must be Muslim or willing to convert to Islam. All prospective applicants to this program will be required by the Moroccan government and court to submit to conversion of Islam in the presence of a court notary while in the country prior to the court proceedings. The conversion appointment is completed on your first day of arrival. We expect all applicants to take this very seriously and honor the legal codes and culture. Conversion taking place in a manner, time or place other than in Morocco in the presence of a court notary or Imam will not meet the requirements for the purposes of obtaining guardianship, also known as ‘Kafalas’.

Children’s House International Adoption Agency states it more direct:

The culture of Morocco cherishes children. Due to conditions of poverty, some children are abandoned at a young age. Your time spent in Morocco will be culturally rich and will enable you to understand better the country and background of your child’s heritage. The prospective adoptive parent/s will begin the process by taking the following steps. They will file an I 600A with the embassy in their country of residence since Morocco has not signed the Hague as of this time. You will also begin a homestudy with an approved social worker. Please contact our agency before you begin this process to be sure that your social worker is qualified. Prospective adoptive parents of Moroccan children must be Muslim. Those who are not already Muslim can convert to Islam while in Morocco. Conversion does require that you reflect on your decision and make a knowledgeable, certain, sincere and truthful declaration of faith and intent with love, affection, submission and acceptance.

Across the World Adoptions makes it sound more like a romance novel:

Salam and Peace be upon you! Across the World Adoptions (ATWA) is excited to announce its pilot program for adoptions from Morocco. Morocco, located in North Africa, is a short ferry ride from the tip of Spain. It may be best known to many Americans for the romantic invitation to “Come with me to the Casbah.” The Casbah is a walled citadel or fortress woven with alleys and souks (markets). The markets of Morocco are renowned for their splendor, variety and frequent invitations to join the proprietors in a glass of hot mint tea.

Our coordinator for Morocco is very experienced with the adoption process but families should be prepared for unexpected changes or delays in the program as it unfolds. Although we use the term adoption in this description, families should think of the process in Morocco more as a guardianship or legal custody (“Kefala”) in preparation for adoption in the United States. After reading and researching about this new adoption trend, I was disgusted with the marketing of children and the adoption process. What has become of Americans that we adopt our children to Europeans and Canadians but would travel across the world, convert to Islam for the chance to adopt a child in a country that is not even a party to the Hague Convention? Have we just become victims of some fancy marketing or notion of exotic adventure of adopting a child from an Islamic country? Only time will tell if this latest trend in International Adoptions will pan out or just be another passing fancy done on a whim.

Monday, November 14, 2011

As the majority of the sending countries are exporting children with special needs (correctable and non-correctable) the trend will increase and move away from healthy children. This book is a valuable tool for evaluating whether a child could benefit from adoption and what medical plans to make for your child.

Laurie C. Miller

Download The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers

Amazon.com: The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers (9780195176810): Laurie C. Download Free eBook:The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers – Free chm, pdf ebooks rapidshare download, ebook. Read The Handbook of International. . Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers. Miller; 2005. The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine. Amazon.com: The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers (9780195145304): Laurie C. Download Free eBook:Oxford University Press, USA[share_ebook] The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers by. Oxford University Press, USA [share_ebook] The Handbook of. The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers Book by Laurie C. This book is an invaluable resource for. Bp The Handbook Of International Adoption Medicine A Guide For Physicians Parents And Providers By Laurie C Miller – Scholarly books, journals and articles Bp The. The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents, and Providers by Laurie C. Miller M.D.: Books The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for. The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for. The Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for. in one place, making the book

December 15 6:30 PM, New York City. The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) holds its annual holiday gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. For information email info@coafkids.org or visit http://www.coafkids.org/.

PLEASE SUPPORT THECHILDREN OF ARMENIA FUND, WHICH IS ADVANCING THE EDUCATION AND ECONOMICS OF VILLAGES SO FAMILIES CAN STAY TOGETHER.